What do you think?
Rate this book
Mountain Homecoming
An unexpected partnership. A shocking secret.
Can the truth heal old wounds?
After months away, architect Wyatt Teague returns home only to find himself named a guardian to his late friends’ orphaned twins…alongside his ex-fiancée, Natalie Dalton. But caring for them together proves to be a Wyatt’s job is in the city, and Natalie can’t leave her family’s apple orchard. As they vow to make this new partnership work, old feelings between them quickly resurface. But when Natalie finds out the true reason behind Wyatt’s abandonment, can she trust him with the babies…and her heart?
From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Home to Foxtail
Book 1: Mountain Homecoming
Can the truth heal old wounds?
After months away, architect Wyatt Teague returns home only to find himself named a guardian to his late friends’ orphaned twins…alongside his ex-fiancée, Natalie Dalton. But caring for them together proves to be a Wyatt’s job is in the city, and Natalie can’t leave her family’s apple orchard. As they vow to make this new partnership work, old feelings between them quickly resurface. But when Natalie finds out the true reason behind Wyatt’s abandonment, can she trust him with the babies…and her heart?
From Love Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Home to Foxtail
Book 1: Mountain Homecoming
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published May 27, 2025
9 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Susanne Dietze
65 books653 followersSusanne Dietze began writing love stories in high school, casting her friends in the starring roles. Today, she's an award-winning, RITA®-nominated author who's seen her work on the Publisher's Weekly and ECPA Bestseller Lists for Inspirational Fiction. Married to a pastor and the mom of two, Susanne lives in California and loves fancy-schmancy tea parties, the beach, and curling up on the couch with a costume drama. You can visit her on her website, www.susannedietze.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 5, 2025
I did not care for Wyatt or his parents.
May 27, 2025
“We were a team once, maybe, but we broke.”
Advocacy is at the heart of this 5-star emotional series starter!
Above all else, Natalie Dalton and Wyatt Teague advocate for two children placed in their care, despite not being a couple nor seeing eye to eye on multiple issues.
Wyatt also works hard to remove barriers to his wellness and self-advocates for personal empowerment and resilience.
Broken people, broken relationships, broken promises … characters in this novel have an uphill journey and learn to rely on God to get them to where they need to be in order to be useful. Dietze highlights the emotional baggage that comes with abandonment for multiple characters, the need for forgiveness, the unnecessary hurt caused by making assumptions and keeping secrets. Her characters learn that life takes unexpected turns, but how we respond to those unexplained detours makes all the difference in the world.
Joint responsibility has a way of evening the playing field and both Natalie and Wyatt put their insecurities and feelings of inferiority aside to work together towards good. I’ll remember this book for what it taught me about (1) waiting and (2) not seeing someone through their offences. God needs us to do both and He won’t let us down.
God works with broken things and makes them beautiful again.
I loved my time in the little community nestled in the Cuyamaca Mountains and I can’t wait to get back in book two in this Home To Foxtail series!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Advocacy is at the heart of this 5-star emotional series starter!
Above all else, Natalie Dalton and Wyatt Teague advocate for two children placed in their care, despite not being a couple nor seeing eye to eye on multiple issues.
Wyatt also works hard to remove barriers to his wellness and self-advocates for personal empowerment and resilience.
Broken people, broken relationships, broken promises … characters in this novel have an uphill journey and learn to rely on God to get them to where they need to be in order to be useful. Dietze highlights the emotional baggage that comes with abandonment for multiple characters, the need for forgiveness, the unnecessary hurt caused by making assumptions and keeping secrets. Her characters learn that life takes unexpected turns, but how we respond to those unexplained detours makes all the difference in the world.
Joint responsibility has a way of evening the playing field and both Natalie and Wyatt put their insecurities and feelings of inferiority aside to work together towards good. I’ll remember this book for what it taught me about (1) waiting and (2) not seeing someone through their offences. God needs us to do both and He won’t let us down.
God works with broken things and makes them beautiful again.
I loved my time in the little community nestled in the Cuyamaca Mountains and I can’t wait to get back in book two in this Home To Foxtail series!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
April 27, 2025
Trusting when it’s hard!
This is a sweet and faith-filled story. Wyatt and Natalie have a lot of history together. Natalie has allowed her circumstances of life to shade her thoughts and conclusions; she must maintain control of things. As Wyatt returns a different man, a man trusting God and proving to be steadfast, she must decide whether to let go of the past or let it define her future. The twins, Rose and Luna, are so cute and add another dimension to their lives and the plot. They get a very touching HEA.
It was a good story, making me think of how I view life; making sure I view it through God’s eyes and let Him work. I received a complimentary copy from the author and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
This is a sweet and faith-filled story. Wyatt and Natalie have a lot of history together. Natalie has allowed her circumstances of life to shade her thoughts and conclusions; she must maintain control of things. As Wyatt returns a different man, a man trusting God and proving to be steadfast, she must decide whether to let go of the past or let it define her future. The twins, Rose and Luna, are so cute and add another dimension to their lives and the plot. They get a very touching HEA.
It was a good story, making me think of how I view life; making sure I view it through God’s eyes and let Him work. I received a complimentary copy from the author and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
Read
May 2, 2025Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Home to Foxtail (Book #1)
Miniseries
Home to Foxtail (Book #1)
Read
May 2, 2025Inspirational Romance, Contemporary Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction, Wholesome Romance
Miniseries
Home to Foxtail (Book #1)
Miniseries
Home to Foxtail (Book #1)
April 12, 2025
Love how this author has me trying not to pick sides. Great book
January 15, 2026
Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance
Mountain Homecoming begins the Home to Foxtail series with a thoughtful, often painfully realistic romance of a couple who once pledged themselves to each other, only to have an event in one person’s life rip them apart… without a timely explanation. Pain, anger, and betrayal play a large part in Natalie’s reaction to Wyatt returning to their hometown to be co-guardian with her for their friends’ twin daughters after a tragic accident. Add to that sense of betrayal the fact that as part of their father’s will, Natalie and her siblings must maintain the family U-pick orchard exactly as it is right now, without any improvements for five years… or they lose the property. Natalie’s plate is full to overflowing right now, and facing the man who broke her heart is not sitting well with her at all.
It’s often so easy, as readers, to judge a character’s actions because we know more than they do about events, so yeah, sometimes it is difficult to see them hurting themselves and others with their (to us) sometimes unreasonable reactions. Wyatt has kept information from Natalie for far too long, information that, while I can understand his hesitation to divulge it, I can also see how letting Natalie know the real reasons for his decisions would have lessened the fallout from his actions… and have helped him deal with what fate dropped into his life more easily. But then we wouldn’t have such a heartbreaking, gut-wrenching reaction to this couple who once planned a future together, only to see it all fall apart.
I understood both of their points of view. Frankly, they both were right, and both so very wrong. Watching them work through the sense of betrayal as they dealt with the changes the twins, Rose and Luna, brought to their lives was emotional and powerful. I found Natalie to be controlling, making far too many assumptions, and very slow to acknowledge it. Wyatt’s steady reliance on God, his determination to do better, find solutions, even restructure his life for the twins’ sake and for Natalie, often made him my favorite of the main characters. I liked them both, but perhaps my emotions were a bit more engaged with Wyatt. And do not get me started on his parents! (You’ll see when you read the book.)
In all, I enjoyed Mountain Homecoming by Susanne Dietze very much. It’s well-written, emotional, faith-based, and kept me engaged throughout. I’m looking forward to reading the other siblings’ stories as the series continues.
I own a Kindle Edition of this title.
Mountain Homecoming begins the Home to Foxtail series with a thoughtful, often painfully realistic romance of a couple who once pledged themselves to each other, only to have an event in one person’s life rip them apart… without a timely explanation. Pain, anger, and betrayal play a large part in Natalie’s reaction to Wyatt returning to their hometown to be co-guardian with her for their friends’ twin daughters after a tragic accident. Add to that sense of betrayal the fact that as part of their father’s will, Natalie and her siblings must maintain the family U-pick orchard exactly as it is right now, without any improvements for five years… or they lose the property. Natalie’s plate is full to overflowing right now, and facing the man who broke her heart is not sitting well with her at all.
It’s often so easy, as readers, to judge a character’s actions because we know more than they do about events, so yeah, sometimes it is difficult to see them hurting themselves and others with their (to us) sometimes unreasonable reactions. Wyatt has kept information from Natalie for far too long, information that, while I can understand his hesitation to divulge it, I can also see how letting Natalie know the real reasons for his decisions would have lessened the fallout from his actions… and have helped him deal with what fate dropped into his life more easily. But then we wouldn’t have such a heartbreaking, gut-wrenching reaction to this couple who once planned a future together, only to see it all fall apart.
I understood both of their points of view. Frankly, they both were right, and both so very wrong. Watching them work through the sense of betrayal as they dealt with the changes the twins, Rose and Luna, brought to their lives was emotional and powerful. I found Natalie to be controlling, making far too many assumptions, and very slow to acknowledge it. Wyatt’s steady reliance on God, his determination to do better, find solutions, even restructure his life for the twins’ sake and for Natalie, often made him my favorite of the main characters. I liked them both, but perhaps my emotions were a bit more engaged with Wyatt. And do not get me started on his parents! (You’ll see when you read the book.)
In all, I enjoyed Mountain Homecoming by Susanne Dietze very much. It’s well-written, emotional, faith-based, and kept me engaged throughout. I’m looking forward to reading the other siblings’ stories as the series continues.
I own a Kindle Edition of this title.
May 24, 2025
"The moment he drove his truck past the pine-flanked sign welcoming him to Goldenrod, Wyatt Teague's stomach squeezed, as if he were bracing for a gut punch. He had missed his hometown in California's Cuyamaca Mountains the past nine months, but he'd had his reasons for staying away. Even though they confused and hurt the people he cared about."
Natalie doesn't understand why Wyatt walked away from her and their upcoming wedding. Yet she has managed to keep moving forward. She is still involved with her family and is willing to step in and help when tragedy strikes. But she definitely is going to need help.
Wyatt definitely had a struggle to overcome. The fact that he tried to get help on his own was both noble and frustrating. At least he realized that he needed support and honesty to move forward from his challenges. And he wants to be there for Natalie. Can they find a way to move forward from the past?
I really enjoyed this second chance love story with a small-town feel. After eventual honesty, tougher topics were handled with grace. Love often requires sacrifice. The need for God is also evident - the faith element really added to the book.
I highly recommend this book. I was provided with a copy of this book for a tour. I wanted to read and review it. All opinions are my own.
Natalie doesn't understand why Wyatt walked away from her and their upcoming wedding. Yet she has managed to keep moving forward. She is still involved with her family and is willing to step in and help when tragedy strikes. But she definitely is going to need help.
Wyatt definitely had a struggle to overcome. The fact that he tried to get help on his own was both noble and frustrating. At least he realized that he needed support and honesty to move forward from his challenges. And he wants to be there for Natalie. Can they find a way to move forward from the past?
I really enjoyed this second chance love story with a small-town feel. After eventual honesty, tougher topics were handled with grace. Love often requires sacrifice. The need for God is also evident - the faith element really added to the book.
I highly recommend this book. I was provided with a copy of this book for a tour. I wanted to read and review it. All opinions are my own.
May 17, 2025
Wyatt Teague returns home after months away. He's been named as co-guardian to his friends' precious twin baby girls, now tragically orphaned. It's a shock, but then comes the kicker. His co-guardian is his ex-fiance, Natalie Dalton. How can they make it work when his job is back in the city, while she is strictly tethered to her family apple orchard due to an inheritance clause. Not to mention how he up and left her before.
But these two are determined to put the girls first and figure out a way to make it work. As they spend time together, feelings that never died sprout to the forefront. But can Natalie ever trust Wyatt again? Can he trust himself? You'll want to find out just how the Lord will work in the lives of these two. Plus it has my favorite, an epilogue! I love not only the main characters, but also all the secondary ones. How wonderful it would be to live in Foxtail, biting into a crisp, fresh apple as you meander through the orchard, surrounded by wonderful and supportive people. Mountain Homecoming is a winner of a series kickoff by author Susanne Dietz. I'm already chomping at the bit hoping there will be stories for Natalie's sisters and cousin!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but my opinion is entirely my own.
But these two are determined to put the girls first and figure out a way to make it work. As they spend time together, feelings that never died sprout to the forefront. But can Natalie ever trust Wyatt again? Can he trust himself? You'll want to find out just how the Lord will work in the lives of these two. Plus it has my favorite, an epilogue! I love not only the main characters, but also all the secondary ones. How wonderful it would be to live in Foxtail, biting into a crisp, fresh apple as you meander through the orchard, surrounded by wonderful and supportive people. Mountain Homecoming is a winner of a series kickoff by author Susanne Dietz. I'm already chomping at the bit hoping there will be stories for Natalie's sisters and cousin!
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but my opinion is entirely my own.
May 18, 2025
Natalie Dalton and her siblings are stuck at Foxtail Farm until the stipulations in their father’s will have been met. That means that somehow, Natalie, as the oldest, must keep the U-pick apple orchard and tourist stop financially stable.
The unfortunate death of very good friends has left Natalie and Wyatt, her ex-fiancé, as guardians for the twins left behind. Will he finally find the courage to tell her why he left her and will her need to control everything continue to create problems or can they both learn to trust God with all these challenges and maybe even salvage their relationship?
An ebook was received through Love Inspired Romance. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.
The unfortunate death of very good friends has left Natalie and Wyatt, her ex-fiancé, as guardians for the twins left behind. Will he finally find the courage to tell her why he left her and will her need to control everything continue to create problems or can they both learn to trust God with all these challenges and maybe even salvage their relationship?
An ebook was received through Love Inspired Romance. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.
July 9, 2025
OMS! I really enjoyed this start of a new series by Susanne Dietze. Wyatt Teague returns home to find out he has been named co-guardian to his late best friends twins. His ex-fiancée Natalie Dalton is the other co-guardian. I loved the start of this story. 2nd chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. I was totally immersed. I also really love the the other characters in the book & can only hope I get to read their stories too. Wyatt was such a strong character, but because of his secret he felt unworthy. Natalie was insecure yet controlling. Their 2nd chance along with these two twin cuties showed each of them how they complemented each other. I cried happy tears during the epilogue. I can’t wait for the next book. Hopefully about the other family members.
July 23, 2025
Susanne Dietze has a well written story full of heart, forgiveness, and second chances. She has good characters, good storyline, and a good ending.
Wyatt Teague returns home to find his ex-fiancee, Natalie Dalton, and himself, named as guardians to the twin babies of their deceased friends. Natalie has trust issues because of her parent. Wyatt has a secret that he has kept, not only from Natalie, but from his family as well. In caring for the babies, Wyatt and Natalie discover that their feelings are still there, but will “the secret” come between them?
This is the first in a new series and the characters in the future books are introduced. I’m thinking this is gonna be a good series! Home to Foxtail Novel
Wyatt Teague returns home to find his ex-fiancee, Natalie Dalton, and himself, named as guardians to the twin babies of their deceased friends. Natalie has trust issues because of her parent. Wyatt has a secret that he has kept, not only from Natalie, but from his family as well. In caring for the babies, Wyatt and Natalie discover that their feelings are still there, but will “the secret” come between them?
This is the first in a new series and the characters in the future books are introduced. I’m thinking this is gonna be a good series! Home to Foxtail Novel
June 4, 2025
I challenge anyone to read this story and not be moved! I was instantly engaged in this tale of a once-engaged couple trying to do what's best for two orphaned baby girls. It is filled with grief, pain, and uncertainty, but through it all, hope and faith endure.
I'm never disappointed in Suzanne Dietze's books! I loved the characters, the setting, and the realism of this heartwarming story. and I look forward to more books in the Home to Foxtail series. I recommend Mountain Homecoming to all who enjoy contemporary Christian romance.
I received a copy from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review.
I'm never disappointed in Suzanne Dietze's books! I loved the characters, the setting, and the realism of this heartwarming story. and I look forward to more books in the Home to Foxtail series. I recommend Mountain Homecoming to all who enjoy contemporary Christian romance.
I received a copy from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review.
June 4, 2025
Heartwarming and Healing
This is a beautiful story of how God can take great brokenness and redeems it with love, forgiveness, healing and second chances. At times I found myself so frustrated with Natalie’s controlling ways, but probably because this placed a mirror in front of me! As so often with good fiction I was able to absorb the conviction and truths that the characters are experiencing and apply them to my life.
This was an easy read that I didn’t want to put down. I was invested in the growing relationship between Wyatt and Natalie and was happy with their HEA. The twins are so adorable and I enjoyed the secondary characters as well.
This is a beautiful story of how God can take great brokenness and redeems it with love, forgiveness, healing and second chances. At times I found myself so frustrated with Natalie’s controlling ways, but probably because this placed a mirror in front of me! As so often with good fiction I was able to absorb the conviction and truths that the characters are experiencing and apply them to my life.
This was an easy read that I didn’t want to put down. I was invested in the growing relationship between Wyatt and Natalie and was happy with their HEA. The twins are so adorable and I enjoyed the secondary characters as well.
May 28, 2025
A perfect start to what promises to be a fun series! I really like the setup for the series and this story was charming. I’m always up for a second chance romance and the storyline for this one was excellent, with cute kids and fun story. I also loved Wyatt’s backstory and his struggles. Those elements were well written and brought a great layer to the story. Looking forward to more of this series and characters!
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
May 30, 2025
Unexpected Redemption
Wyatt and Natalie suddenly find themselves thrown back together when twin baby girls rely on them for care and love. I don't typically prefer contemporary romance and for me this book hits a little to close to home with all I went through in my own breakup, so I'm probably not the best person to give opinions on the story.
It has strong elements of faith and is well-written.
I purchased this eBook. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.
Wyatt and Natalie suddenly find themselves thrown back together when twin baby girls rely on them for care and love. I don't typically prefer contemporary romance and for me this book hits a little to close to home with all I went through in my own breakup, so I'm probably not the best person to give opinions on the story.
It has strong elements of faith and is well-written.
I purchased this eBook. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.
August 17, 2025
This sounds like such a heartfelt story! The mix of small town charm, second chance romance, and the emotional challenge of raising twins together makes it impossible to resist. I’m already rooting for Wyatt and Natalie to find their way back to each other.
October 20, 2025
The first chapter definitely tugged at my heart. This was a heartfelt book from beginning to end. It has forgiveness, caring moments, romance, memorable characters and that’s what made this a special and wonderful book!
June 25, 2025
I hate writing negative reviews, but honestly, I didnt finish this book. The plot was too familiar to others Ive read. There were too many names to keep track of and too much "filler" reading.
July 13, 2025
Loved this story. Love inspired novel.
May 10, 2025
Once engaged to each other, Wyatt and Natalie suddenly find themselves joint caretakers of the baby twin girls their friends left behind. They have to navigate the terms of a will that Natalie has to abide by and the long commute that Wyatt has to make for the foreseeable future.
Trying to move past the issues that tore them apart, Natalie and Wyatt rely more fully on God to work out the details.
This author takes some thorny issues and shows the characters growing in their faith. She presents realistic circumstances, a beautiful apple orchard setting and adorable babies. Not to mention a retired support dog who adds to the fun and family members who pitch in.
Glad to see this is number one in a series about Foxtail Farms. I am anxious to see what other stories are in store.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Love Inspired on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
Trying to move past the issues that tore them apart, Natalie and Wyatt rely more fully on God to work out the details.
This author takes some thorny issues and shows the characters growing in their faith. She presents realistic circumstances, a beautiful apple orchard setting and adorable babies. Not to mention a retired support dog who adds to the fun and family members who pitch in.
Glad to see this is number one in a series about Foxtail Farms. I am anxious to see what other stories are in store.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Love Inspired on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
May 23, 2025
Mountain Homecoming by Susanne Dietze! This was such an amazing inspirational book with wonderful characters about a couple and a second chance at love Can they overcome their faults with one another to be the adopted parents to their friends twin girls that they know they can be! I highly recommend this book! I was given a complimentary copy, and this is my own honest opinion!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews